Mr. Schwarzenegger's proposed $82.9 billion general-fund budget
for the 2010-11 fiscal year would close a $19.9 billion gap over
18 months. In addition to the federal aid, he called for $8.5
billion in cuts and $4.5 billion in alternative funding to
balance the budget.

"It's time to enact long-term reforms that will change the way
the most populous state and the federal government work
together," Mr. Schwarzenegger said. He and state legislative
leaders plan to visit Washington to lobby for bailout money.
White House budget officials weren't available for comment on the
governor's request.

Mr. Schwarzenegger said that without the federal aid, he would
propose cutting $4.6 billion from state assistance programs and
raise another $2.4 billion, largely by extending the suspension
of tax breaks.

That California sends more tax dollars to Washington than it
receives has been known for years. In fact, most populous,
economically dynamic states are in the same boat. It's the more
rural, Conservative states that are the "welfare Queens" of
America.

We doubt this will change anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger has
withdrawn his support for Obama's healthcare reform plan,
though he doesn't have too much influence on the matter. It's
just a funny stance to take when you're begging for dough.